Retailers' manufacturing plants have reduced accidents by 80 percent in the last decade.

Kroger Manufacturing recently received six Worker Safety Awards from IDFA, a leading dairy industry manufacturing association. The Kroger-owned dairy plants were among a select group of facilities honored for having the best safety records among dairy processors based on 2007 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data.

"We are committed to worker safety in all of our manufacturing operations," said Calvin J. Kaufman, president of Kroger Manufacturing. "We believe nothing we do is worth risking an injury, and we focus on training and teamwork to prevent accidents. We appreciate all of our associates who help make our plants safe places to work for themselves and their co-workers."

During the last 10 years, Kroger Manufacturing has reduced accidents at its 41 U.S. facilities by 80 percent. So far in 2008, the company's dairy manufacturing facilities are on track to further improve their top-rated safety performance.

Kroger Manufacturing operates 41 food processing plants in the U.S. that produce breads, dairy products, meat and thousands of grocery items for Kroger customers, including many of Kroger's corporate brand products such as its exclusive line of Private Selection items available only in Kroger's family of stores. Kroger's 14 dairies, three ice cream plants and two cheese plants produce all varieties of fluid milk, fruit juices and other beverages, cultured products such as yogurt and sour cream, packaged cheese, and ice cream and novelty treats.